Overcoming Shame
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garyedolan
- Ranger Hall of Fame
- Posts: 1405
- Joined: December 8th, 2006, 8:05 am
- Has thanked: 9 times
- Been thanked: 5 times
Overcoming Shame
"What I long to forget, but cannot, is the vilification of those of us that served. What I long to forget, but cannot, was the media and entertainment industry desires to promote this vilification. What I long to forget, but cannot, is being ashamed to say I was a Vietnam vet. What I find ironic is that it took other wars for the American people to finally recognize the contribution its service people give to them. What I find ironic is that the American politicians still claim we lost the war in vietnam, and the American people finally recognize what the Vietnam vet sacrificed, not in Vietnam, but here at home: our Dignity. What I found 30 years later was the courage to proclaim my pride in my service in Vietnam. What I hope is that my fellow Vietnam veterans can co the same."
Gary "28"
Co C (RGR), 75 Inf (ABN) '70-'71
USMA 69; RGR 4-70; RHOF-2011
http://oftheirownaccord.com
"Duty, Honor, Country. Those three hallowed words reverently dictate what you ought to be, what you can be, what you will be." Douglas MacArthur
Co C (RGR), 75 Inf (ABN) '70-'71
USMA 69; RGR 4-70; RHOF-2011
http://oftheirownaccord.com
"Duty, Honor, Country. Those three hallowed words reverently dictate what you ought to be, what you can be, what you will be." Douglas MacArthur
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Ranger Ron
- Ranger/LRRP/Admin
- Posts: 8306
- Joined: June 22nd, 2006, 8:47 am
Re: Overcoming Shame
Thank you, Brother!
SUA SPONTE - "We few, we happy few, we BAND OF BROTHERS;
for he today that sheds his blood with me shall be my brother!" - Shakespeare
RLTW! - Land of the Free BECAUSE of the Brave
RS 3-70
SSG VN 69-70
I Co., 75th. Inf.
4/9 Inf., 25th ID
Mentored Ranger kozzman555
http://www.75thrra.com" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; - LM 183
http://www.ranger.org" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; - LM 3537
for he today that sheds his blood with me shall be my brother!" - Shakespeare
RLTW! - Land of the Free BECAUSE of the Brave
RS 3-70
SSG VN 69-70
I Co., 75th. Inf.
4/9 Inf., 25th ID
Mentored Ranger kozzman555
http://www.75thrra.com" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; - LM 183
http://www.ranger.org" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; - LM 3537
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Ranger Bill
- Ranger
- Posts: 7009
- Joined: December 12th, 2005, 3:48 pm
Re: Overcoming Shame
Good thoughts, Gary. I believe I speak for just about every Vietnam Veteran I know that we pledge to do all we can so our men serving today and in the future will never be treated the way we were.
WE NEED MORE RANGERS!
http://www.75thrra.com" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Mentor to Pellet2007, ChaoticGood & RFS1307
Ranger School Class 3-69
7th Special Forces Group
K Company (Ranger) 75th Infantry (Airborne)
4th Infantry Division
82d Airborne Division
12th Special Forces Group
http://www.75thrra.com" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Mentor to Pellet2007, ChaoticGood & RFS1307
Ranger School Class 3-69
7th Special Forces Group
K Company (Ranger) 75th Infantry (Airborne)
4th Infantry Division
82d Airborne Division
12th Special Forces Group
Re: Overcoming Shame
Good post Gary. I find it interesting that at some point in our recent history that it actually became "Cool" to be seen or known as a Nam vet. It seems like just about every male that is 55 or older that I talk to served in the Nam.
While I didn't go to Nam... there was a stll some animosity towards anyone in the military when I went in.... at least at the airports when I was in uniform. Pissed me off because I was proud as hell!
Funny how time changes things!
While I didn't go to Nam... there was a stll some animosity towards anyone in the military when I went in.... at least at the airports when I was in uniform. Pissed me off because I was proud as hell!
Funny how time changes things!
C 2/75, 1st Plt, Wpns Sqd 76-79
RS 3-78
Mattoon's Goons
A 'Veteran' -- whether active duty, discharged, retired, or reserve --
is someone who, at one point in his life, wrote a blank check made payable to 'The United States of America,' for an amount of 'up to, and including his life.'
RS 3-78
Mattoon's Goons
A 'Veteran' -- whether active duty, discharged, retired, or reserve --
is someone who, at one point in his life, wrote a blank check made payable to 'The United States of America,' for an amount of 'up to, and including his life.'
Re: Overcoming Shame
I never apologized or felt ashamed of having done my duty.
Ranger Class 13-71
Advisor, VN 66-68 69-70
42d Vn Ranger Battalion 1969-1970
Trainer, El Salvador 86-87
Advisor, Saudi Arabian National Guard 91, 93-94
75th RRA Life Member #867
Advisor, VN 66-68 69-70
42d Vn Ranger Battalion 1969-1970
Trainer, El Salvador 86-87
Advisor, Saudi Arabian National Guard 91, 93-94
75th RRA Life Member #867
Re: Overcoming Shame
I'm proud as hell to be associated with everygoddamned one of you sweet motherfuckers.
It saddens me to see the way you were treated. I watched as a young boy, maybe 6-8 years old, wanting nothing more than to be in a uniform with you. My oldest brother was there for 2 tours. Brown Water Navy. Dad was also in the Navy, late 40's/early 50's.
For what it's worth Ranger Dolan and I've said it before, young(er) men like myself, young boys at the time, idolized ya'll, you were the real John Waynes, the real Josey Wales, and your footprints led us young men to the door of the Regiment.
Beer is on me anytime fella's, I mean that, and I hope you get your wish Brother. For the sake and the soul of the Warrior's out there, I hope you get your wish.
It saddens me to see the way you were treated. I watched as a young boy, maybe 6-8 years old, wanting nothing more than to be in a uniform with you. My oldest brother was there for 2 tours. Brown Water Navy. Dad was also in the Navy, late 40's/early 50's.
For what it's worth Ranger Dolan and I've said it before, young(er) men like myself, young boys at the time, idolized ya'll, you were the real John Waynes, the real Josey Wales, and your footprints led us young men to the door of the Regiment.
Beer is on me anytime fella's, I mean that, and I hope you get your wish Brother. For the sake and the soul of the Warrior's out there, I hope you get your wish.
2/75 HHC C/E 89-92
Rio Hato/AO Diaz CCT/Commo
"It is a heavy thing, to see a Father so strong in life, unable to rise."
"A great civilization is not conquered from without
until it has destroyed itself from within." -W. Durant
Rio Hato/AO Diaz CCT/Commo
"It is a heavy thing, to see a Father so strong in life, unable to rise."
"A great civilization is not conquered from without
until it has destroyed itself from within." -W. Durant
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Rock Island Ranger
- Ranger
- Posts: 10935
- Joined: February 8th, 2004, 10:00 pm
Re: Overcoming Shame
Gary Dolan and all of my Viet era buds....you rock now. You rocked then. You were the rock when I was a newby. No men get higher praise from me. None.
RS Class # 7-76
I'm not the way I am because I was a Ranger - I was a Ranger because of the way I am.
¿Querría usted el primer redondo en la rodilla o la cara?
The road goes on forever and the party never ends.
I'm not the way I am because I was a Ranger - I was a Ranger because of the way I am.
¿Querría usted el primer redondo en la rodilla o la cara?
The road goes on forever and the party never ends.
Re: Overcoming Shame
Thanks Gary!
And thank you, Andy!
And thank you, Andy!
I never wore a cape, but I still have my dog tags.
Experienced Peek Freak!!
173rd Abn LRRP...'66/'67
C/1/506 101st Abn
B/2/325 82nd Abn
Experienced Peek Freak!!
173rd Abn LRRP...'66/'67
C/1/506 101st Abn
B/2/325 82nd Abn
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Ranger Ron
- Ranger/LRRP/Admin
- Posts: 8306
- Joined: June 22nd, 2006, 8:47 am
Re: Overcoming Shame
Gee Whiz!!! Keep it up!Rock Island Ranger wrote:Gary Dolan and all of my Viet era buds....you rock now. You rocked then. You were the rock when I was a newby. No men get higher praise from me. None.
(oh, thanks for the kind words. Looks like you learned from us or someone VERY well!)
SUA SPONTE - "We few, we happy few, we BAND OF BROTHERS;
for he today that sheds his blood with me shall be my brother!" - Shakespeare
RLTW! - Land of the Free BECAUSE of the Brave
RS 3-70
SSG VN 69-70
I Co., 75th. Inf.
4/9 Inf., 25th ID
Mentored Ranger kozzman555
http://www.75thrra.com" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; - LM 183
http://www.ranger.org" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; - LM 3537
for he today that sheds his blood with me shall be my brother!" - Shakespeare
RLTW! - Land of the Free BECAUSE of the Brave
RS 3-70
SSG VN 69-70
I Co., 75th. Inf.
4/9 Inf., 25th ID
Mentored Ranger kozzman555
http://www.75thrra.com" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; - LM 183
http://www.ranger.org" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; - LM 3537
Re: Overcoming Shame
I agree with ya RangerBill. I will always support our troops through thick and thin forever more.Ranger Bill wrote:Good thoughts, Gary. I believe I speak for just about every Vietnam Veteran I know that we pledge to do all we can so our men serving today and in the future will never be treated the way we were.
I personally was never ashamed. I always did what was asked of me.
I 1st went to the VA within a month of getting out (circa May '70) and got the usual run-a-round by VA Doc's - a usual preaching to me would be; Sonny, you weren't in a war, you were in a conflict - not the Big One like WWII. Come back when you fight in a real war. I persisted, becoming a pain in the ass by getting a new appt on my way out to be back in 2 weeks to pester the Doc's again. Eventually they got around to doing their jobs by treating me & they knew they would see me soon again.
I used to tell my veteran friends to be prepared to bang your head against the door/wall dealing with the VA repeatedly & never giving up until you get what you want/need. I sure the hell had too. And this went on for twenty five fuckin plus years - my personal battle with the VA.
RLTW
Steadfast
4/325 82d DIV 68-69
2nd Bde HHC (LRRP), 4 ID
K Co (Rgr), 75th Inf (Abn), 4 ID
69-70
I cooked with C- 4
Steadfast
4/325 82d DIV 68-69
2nd Bde HHC (LRRP), 4 ID
K Co (Rgr), 75th Inf (Abn), 4 ID
69-70
I cooked with C- 4
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K.Ingraham
- Ranger
- Posts: 6143
- Joined: January 25th, 2005, 11:59 am
Re: Overcoming Shame
Welcome Home, Gary.
http://www.75thrra.com/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
2d Bn U.D. for 75th Ranger Regt Assn
2d Bn(Ranger)75 Inf 1975-'77
RS 9-76
Former mentor to RANGER XCrunner.
"I am well aware that by no means equal repute attends the narrator and the doer of deeds” Sallust ‘The Catiline Conspiracy’
2d Bn U.D. for 75th Ranger Regt Assn
2d Bn(Ranger)75 Inf 1975-'77
RS 9-76
Former mentor to RANGER XCrunner.
"I am well aware that by no means equal repute attends the narrator and the doer of deeds” Sallust ‘The Catiline Conspiracy’
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SLEDGE HAMMER
- Ranger
- Posts: 835
- Joined: July 19th, 2004, 10:20 pm
Re: Overcoming Shame
I wouldnt say much changed with 'my' generation...at least for some of us.cams wrote:For what it's worth Ranger Dolan and I've said it before, young(er) men like myself, young boys at the time, idolized ya'll, you were the real John Waynes, the real Josey Wales, and your footprints led us young men to the door of the Regiment.
First Batt, Best Batt 09-12
